Christmas Events in Derbyshire 2024

Christmas in Derbyshire

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It’s time to get excited – it’s nearly Christmas! Whether it’s a Christmas market you’re after, somewhere festive to walk or some Christmas food and drink, there’s a lot of Christmas events in Derbyshire this year.

To help you make the most of this festive season, I’ve put together this list of Christmas things to do in Derbyshire 2023.

Christmas markets in Derbyshire

A festive atmosphere, a chance to pick up some fabulous Christmas gifts, and delicious food and drink. Yes, I’m talking about Christmas markets. Here’s where you’ll be able to wander the stalls with a mulled wine to your heart’s content in Derbyshire this year.

Chatsworth Christmas Market

The Chatsworth Christmas market takes place every day between 9th November and 1st December and it’s one of my favourite Christmas events in Derbyshire. There are over 100 stalls with Christmas gifts, decorations, live music and outdoor bars serving mulled wine.

The Chatsworth Christmas Market is free to attend, however, car parking charges do apply and these are quite hefty so try to take public transport if possible. Christmas Market tickets are included when you buy tickets for the house.

Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome.

Christmas tree at Haddon Hall

Mercatum Christmas Artisan Market at Haddon Hall

This seasonal artisan market will showcase 180 carefully curated makers and artisans within the courtyard, gardens, rooms, and galleries of Haddon Hall. Brimming with Christmas gifts and artisanal food, it’s the perfect place to start feeling festive.

This is one of my favourite Christmas markets in Derbyshire, it’s always a really magical day. The market runs Wednesday to Sunday from 13th November until 15th December.

Matlock Christmas Market

Matlock Christmas Market and Matlock Bath

There are two Christmas markets in Matlock during December – the Victorian Christmas Market and the Matlock Christmas Market.

They’re not the best Christmas markets ever but they do feel really festive and so I love to visit. This year the Matlock Christmas market takes place on the 21st and 22nd December and features a family fairground, festive food and drink, and craft stalls.

There will be also be an ice skating rink for adults and children with tickets available at £6 per person.

The Matlock Victorian Christmas Market is 6th – 8th December and features festive performances, fun fair rides, and lots of culinary delights.

As well as this, the Christmas lights in Matlock are really nice and it’s a lovely town for a Christmassy wander. Walk through the park to see the lights in all their glory, grab a coffee from one of the independent cafes, and browse for Christmas presents in the quirky shops that Matlock is known for.

It’s a couple of miles walk (half an hour) from Matlock to its neighbour Matlock Bath, which is also nice for a Christmas walk. Grab a gingerbread latte from Butterfingers on Dale Road to walk with. I’ve done this on Christmas Eve before and it’s the perfect festive activity.

Belper Winter Food and Gift Fair

On Sunday 24th November, Belper’s Winter Food and Gift Fair is bringing festivity to the town combined with the Christmas lights switch on. There will be around 50 stalls in total with a wide range of food and drink to try including mulled wine and cider, German bratwurst, and burgers.

Stocking fillers and gifts will be available to buy from local arts and craft stalls. The market will take place in King Street, Campbell Street, and Strutt Street.

Christmas market at The West Mill

On Sunday 1st December from 10.30am – 5pm, The West Mill Exclusive Use Wedding Venue will be hosting a Christmas market featuring independent businesses and artisan stalls. There’ll be festive food and drink, Santa’s grotto, live music, face painting, fire pits and toasted marshmallows.

Fabulous Places pop-up market at Peak Village.

Fabulous Places Christmas Market, Shottle Hall

Fabulous Places curates seasonal events full of small businesses in stunning venues throughout Derbyshire. With seasonal products including plants and flowers, interior decoration, Christmas decor and gifts, fragrance, handmade jewellery, and artisan food, this market is extra special.

This year the Christmas Market takes place from 15th – 17th November at Shottle Hall. I went to the Fabulous Places pop-up market at Peak Village and it was a really gorgeous shopping experience.

Bakewell Christmas Market

Held in Bakewell’s beautiful town centre, the Christmas Market will take place on the weekend of the 16th and 17th November. Free to attend, there will be over 100 different stalls including crafts, gifts, and clothing from Monday market traders and local businesses from Derbyshire and the Peak District.

There’ll be some delicious food and drink offerings plus local brass and silver bands, choirs and a DJ. Look out for Disney characters, Santa, and some owls that have appeared in Harry Potter.

Cromford Christmas Markets

The Cromford Christmas Markets take place at the Cromford Mills World Heritage Site and are free to enter. Enjoy a selection of handmade gifts, browse in the independent shops on-site, and see live music performances.

Treat yourself to a speciality hot chocolate, cake, or soup in the cafe. The market takes place on weekends during December from 10am until 4pm and is dog friendly.

Meet the Grinch and Father Christmas and enjoy some festive performances from the Rock Choir, the Tuneless Choir, and John Gill.

Pub in the Woods Christmas Food Market

On the 5th and 6th December, Pub in the Woods in Ashbourne will be hosting a Christmas food market with gift stalls. Enjoy live music, food, drinks, and shopping from 5-11pm each day.

Check out more Christmas markets in the UK here.

Christmas wreath-making workshops at Happy Roots Farm.

Christmas wreath making workshops in Derbyshire

Get creative with your besties, or treat someone to a festive gift with a wreath making workshop. Here’s where you can create those beautiful doorway decorations in Derbyshire this year.

Luxury wreath making class at Sette Coffee

On Friday 6th November, L&M Florals will be hosting a luxury wreath making class at one of my favourite places for coffee, Sette Coffee in Clay Cross. The £45 price includes all the tools needed to make a gorgeous 12-inch wreath as well as a festive treat and a drink.

There is a free car park right outside too.

Christmas wreath making workshop at Laurenne Hopkins Flowers

Get into the festive spirit with your friends at a Christmas wreath making workshop at the gorgeous Laurenne Hopkins Flowers. The flower farm is located between Bolsover and Clowne and is run by the lovely Laurenne and her family.

On the farm they grow and source beautiful seasonal flowers which you will use to make a Christmas wreath. The theme this year is “Enchanted Forest” so cosy up in front of a real log fire to a soundtrack of festive tunes and a background of twinkling lights.

Christmas bakes and mince pies will be on hand if you’re peckish as well as mulled wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee.

You’ll make a 12 inch wreath with evergreen foliage grown on the farm, natural decorations, dried flowers, and ribbon. Tickets cost £65 each.

There are various dates available throughout late November and December and you can find out more on the Laurenne’s website. I actually had my wedding flowers from Laurenne so I’m a huge fan.

Christmas wreath making workshop in aid of Ashgate Hospice

L&M Floral will be hosting wreath making workshops in aid of Ashgate Hospice at various locations in Chesterfield, including The Batch House and The Woodside. Tickets are £60 per person and include a welcome drink, tea, coffee, a selection of festive treats and a luxury wreath to take home.

Wreath making at Oakhill Cromford

Oakhill Cromford are offering a wreath making sessions on 23rd November. Tickets cost £55 and include a light lunch in the restaurant.

Call the hotel on 01629 822211 to book your place.

I’ve stayed here and eaten in the restaurant a few times and the food is always delicious so I can imagine that this will be a great event.

Christmas wreath making with L&M Floral at Thornbridge Hall

Taking place in the beautiful Carriage House at Thornbridge Hall in Bakewell, this three hour workshop with Katie from L&M Florals will take you through the process of making a Christmas wreath. Enjoy a mince pie and a couple of mulled wines while you craft.

Tickets cost £55 and can be booked on the Thornbridge Hall website. All materials are provided but bring your own scissors or secateurs.

Festive wreath making and bauble decorating at Bakewell Golf Club

Head to The Clubhouse at Bakewell Golf Club at 6pm on Friday 29th November to make your own festive wreath and bauble. Tickets cost £42 and there’s also a festive buffet available on the evening.

Call 078727159287 to book.

Woman at Chatsworth Christmas lights

Christmas at Chatsworth House & Gardens

One of my favourite ways to get into the festive spirit is to go to one of the Christmas events at Chatsworth.

This year’s theme for the popular Christmas at Chatsworth event is Henry and the Lion’s Christmas Feast and over 20 rooms will be transformed with the sights, sounds and smells of the festive season including mischievous mice, festive decorations, twinkling lights, and a few surprises. Follow Henry as he searches for the lion and the lion searches for a Christmas feast.

Christmas in the house and gardens is available to book every day through the Chatsworth website from 9th November until 5th January 2024. Tickets before 1st December also include entry to the Christmas market.

When you buy a ticket for house entry, entry to the gardens is also included. In the garden you’ll find an interactive light and an animated projection on the house.

Where to see Santa in Derbyshire

Breakfast with Santa at the Hunloke Arms

Head to the Hunloke Arms in Wingerworth to enjoy breakfast with the big man. The event takes place on weekends throughout December and the 23rd and 24th and you can book a table between 8.30 and 10.30am.

It’s a real treat for the little ones with children getting a visit with Santa and a Santa box to take home. Breakfast includes a glass of juice, a freshly baked pastry, your choice of main course (full English, eggs benedict, waffles, etc), and unlimited tea and coffee and costs £15 per adult and £20 per child under 12.

Van Dyk Hotel

Santa Specials at Peak Rail

Come and meet the big guy himself with one of Peak Rail’s Santa Specials! Santa will be on board a heritage steam train setting off from Rowsley South Station this December.

A variety of professional entertainers will be on board for the journey which takes just over an hour, and Santa and his helpers will meet everyone in their seats with a gift for all children. Children get a drink and a snack and adults can enjoy a glass of wine and a mince pie.

There are four departure times available on Saturdays and Sundays throughout December and on Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th December. Tickets cost between £40 for a table of two and £130 for a compartment of six.

Santa’s Enchanted Christmas at Bluebell Dairy

Visit Bluebell Dairy for festive fun from 30th November until 23rd December. Watch Santa descend from a giant chimney and meet real reindeer nestled in their cosy barn.

There are lots of activities on offer including Jack Frost’s Ice Palace, new for this year, where children can take part in tasks and games in order to get snowflakes to fall. Children can choose a toy from the magical chimney and build their own bear in the North Pole’s Bear Workshop as well as making reindeer food and writing their letters to Santa.

When you need refreshments, head over to the Alpine Bar for homemade hot chocolates made from the farm’s own cow’s milk.

Tickets include access to the farm and are priced at £23 for adults and £43.50 for children.

Breakfast with Santa at The Maynard, Grindleford

Enjoy a magical morning of festive fun at The Maynard on 14th and 21st December at either 8am or 10am. Indulge in a delicious Peak District breakfast before a special visit from Santa.

Breakfast dishes include locally sourced meat and children’s favourites like pancakes. Each child can meet Father Christmas, get a photo, and receive a selection box.

If breakfast isn’t your thing, you can have afternoon tea with Santa instead at The Maynard on the 21st December.

Christmas in Derbyshire

Meet Father Christmas at Cromford Mills

You can meet Father Christmas at Cromford Mills on 2nd and 3rd, 9th and 10th, 16th and 17th December in his cosy canal-side grotto. Tickets cost £10 per child or £25 for a family (including up to three children) and entry includes a present.

Booking is highly recommended although walk-ins will be available on the day.

You can also have a festive story and breakfast with Father Christmas on 9th December at Cromford Mills. Tickets cost £12 (under 2s free) and include a yummy breakfast and a gift for children.

Christmas carol events in Derbyshire

Christmas Carol Concerts at Peak Cavern, Castleton

Wrap up warm and head down to the atmospheric venue of Peak Cavern (The Devil’s Arse) for mulled wine, mince pies, and a variety of modern Christmas songs and traditional carols performed by a brass band. Concerts take place Saturdays and Sundays throughout December, all the way up to Christmas Eve.

Concerts last between 60 and 75 minutes and are seated the majority of the time – although there are songs where you can stand if you’re able to. Tickets are £17.50 for adults and £12 for children.

I’ve been to this and it is the most special evening. The atmosphere is really magical and gets you right in the mood for Christmas.

Be sure to sing along!

Castleton Christmas Lights

Castleton is one of my favourite villages in the Peak District, it’s so beautiful. At Christmas the village transforms into a winter wonderland with lights, decorations and Christmas trees.

Start with a walk into the Peaks, followed by a stroll round the village (and maybe a mulled wine and a mince pie in one of the pubs!) for an active festive activity. The lights are usually turned on in November.

Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink, Derby

Is there anything more festive than ice skating? Channel your inner Torvill and Dean and grab your skates from 30th November to 31st December at Cathedral Green in Derby.

Warm up with a cheeky hot chocolate or mulled wine afterwards from the Nordic bar next door. If you don’t fancy getting on the ice yourself, there is a viewing platform with twinkling lights and a festive playlist for spectators.

You can grab some food afterwards from the on-site food vendors and warm up in the festive tipi.

Blonde woman wearing a red bow reaching up to touch a Christmas decoration at Van Dyk, Chesterfield

Bolsover Lantern Parade and Christmas Festival

Taking place on 30th November 2024 from 5 – 9pm, the Bolsover Lantern Parade and Christmas Festival takes place in the town centre with stalls at Cavendish Walk, the Assembly Rooms, and Bolsover Castle. It’s free to attend and attractions include fairground rides, real reindeers, a snowboard simulator, musical entertainment, brass band, carol singing, artisan market stalls, and festive food and drink.

The lantern parade starts at 4pm and is one of the biggest and longest-running light processions in the UK. The parade starts at the castle and travels through the town, finishing at the Cenotaph where there will be Christmas carols.

Christmas at Denby Pottery Village

Denby Pottery Village in Derby has a whole host of Christmas events taking place throughout December including a Christmas market, afternoon tea with Santa and a wreath making workshop.

The Christmas market is on 29th November – 2nd December and 5th – 8th December. It is free to enter, and has over 30 stalls including artisan food and drinks, and handcrafted gifts.

If you’re feeling crafty there’s a wreath workshop on various dates from 29th November until 8th December where you can hand wire and arrange seasonal foliage and natural materials to create a beautiful Christmas wreath. Enjoy a cuppa and a cake in Bourne’s Coffee Shop & Bistro before you decorate your own winter wreath or make the experience even more special by upgrading to afternoon tea.

If your children want to meet Santa, you can book an afternoon tea experience with Santa, festive games with the elves, and a Christmas craft gift bag. Afternoon tea is served on various dates throughout December.

If you’d prefer to just meet Santa, without the afternoon tea, you can do that too, in his cosy cabin. Children will get a special gift from Santa’s workshop, receive an elf-observation report, and play some fun festive games in the Denby gardens.

And it’s not just Santa that will be at Denby Pottery Village – Mrs Claus will be making an appearance too. You can have breakfast with Mrs Claus on Christmas Eve where you can enjoy story time, festive games, and a Christmas craft gift bag.

Elton’s Winter Wonderland

On Saturday 30th November, head to the Jubilee Field in the village of Elton for their Winter Wonderland from 4pm. There will be Santa’s grotto and activities for children first and then a disco later on.

There will be a bar with mulled wine, hot food, and festive snacks. To book a slot with Santa, text your child’s name and age to 07773787816

Snowdogs Discover Buxton

Until 15th December, Buxton will be home to 12 Snowdog sculptures, all with a unique design created by artists all over the UK. After this, they’ll be auctioned off to raise money for Blythe House Hospice which provides support to patients and families in North Derbyshire affected by life-limiting illness and bereavement.

The sculpture trail is inspired by Christmas classic The Snowman by Raymond Briggs where the snowman and the snowdog come to life. Head to the Blythe Hospice charity shop on Buxton Marketplace, Poole’s Cavern, Pavillion Gardens Cafe, Sacro Lounge, or Markovitz to pick up a map of the trail for £1.

Drive round decorations

Did your parents used to drive round to show you over the top Christmas decorations when you were kids? Mine too!

Why not take a drive round to see if you can spot the best decs? My favourites can be seen at a house on Parkway in Darley Dale and this was one of the houses that we used to visit when I was little so they have been doing it for years!

Try North View in Bolsover, Walton Crescent in Boythorpe, Holymoor Road in Holymoorside, Broom Drive in Grassmoor, South Street in Swanwick, Chesterfield Road in Tibshelf, North Street in Holmgate and Carrwood Road in Renishaw for some epic displays. Or just start driving and see what you can find!

There are usually some magical Christmas displays by shops, pubs and hotels. Some of the photos in this blog post were taken at Van Dyk Hotel in Chesterfield which had a beautiful Christmas archway and two stunning Christmas trees inside.

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